PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case must be returned to the Board after further development, including obtaining medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and obtaining an opinion from a vocational rehabilitation specialist.

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The case is REMANDED for obtaining SSA records and considering any new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with a secondary schizoaffective disorder was denied as there is no evidence that he submitted a valid claim prior to February 19, 1985.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining psychiatric records from Fort Bliss and UMC, as well as a VA examination to clarify the Veteran's current diagnoses and their relation to service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, alcoholism, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further clarification of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and finds that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to finality of prior rating decisions.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder has also been dismissed as it is not related to service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened. His PTSD is currently rated at 70% and effective from December 30, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and updated VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, and back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has not caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating higher than the current 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's pre-existing hypertension was aggravated by his third period of active duty. The claim for higher evaluations for PTSD is remanded to obtain VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent or 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, a right shoulder disability, residuals of hernia, bilateral eye disability (myopia or loss of vision), arthritis of the hands, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence submitted was found to be duplicative or cumulative.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since March 26, 2008, and he is granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with related conditions such as polysubstance abuse and inhalant dependence, has resulted in total social and occupational impairment. The Board granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease (CAD), S/P CABG, and S/P MI, are shown as of the date of his claim to be of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU was granted from December 30, 2004 until July 7, 2007.